Improvement in ribbon-protectors



Nrrnn STATES HIRAM V. DEMPSTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO A. O. MASON, OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN RlBBON-PROTECTORS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,6011, dated February 20, 1877; application led January 10, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, H. V. DEMPSTER, of Washington city, in the county of Washington, and in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Ribbon Measurers and Protectors; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my device as arranged for use, a portion of the -ribbon being withdrawn; and Fig.2 is a cross-section of the same.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

In the sale of ribbons by retail dealers, as they are ordinarily put up in rolls, much time is expended in rerolling the remainder after a portion has been removed, and it frequently occurs that opportunity for thus arranging partially-unwound rolls of ribbon will not occur Vuntil the close of a dayls business, or sometimes until several days have passed, the result being that the loose portions of the ribbons become soiled, and cannot be sold, but must either be cut oil and thrown away, or be given to the next customer.

Again, in handling the rolls of ribbons, it is found that the hands of the clerk are liable to soil the outer or exposed portion, in consequence of which and of thedifculties before named the waste and loss to the dealer is great, and the price ofthe article must be materially increased in order to make good such loss.

To obviate these objections, and render the handling, care, and measurement of ribbons more easy, is the design oi my invention.

lt consists, as an improvement in the means for storing and handling ribbons, in a casing, constructed in the manner and for the purpose substantially as is hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawing, A represents a ribbon, which is wound upon or around a cylindrical block, B, so as to form a roll of usual shape. The roll of ribbon is inclosed within a casing, C, which corresponds therewith in size and shape, and is constructed of lor from paper or other like material, which has little weight,`and is inexpensive, said casing being, preferably, divided upon a central longitudinal line, and its sections hinged together, so as to be capable of being opened as seen in Fig. 2. A journal, b, at each end of the block B projects outward through a corresponding opening, c, in the contiguous head of the casing G, and enables the roll of ribbon to be rotated upon or around its axial center. Within one side of the casing C is provided a longitudinal opening, c', through which the end of the ribbon A may be drawn outward, while a buttonhead, b', secured upon one of thel journals b enables the roll of ribbon to be revolved,so as to rewind such ribbon as may have been withdrawn.

In ord-er that the end of the ribbon A may be secured, so as to prevent it from being accidentally withdrawn withilrthe casing O, a sharp s-pur, fr, is provided at one or both sides of the openingl c', over which said .ribbon end is securely hooked when not in use.

It is intended that ribbons shall be thus put up by manufacturers, and that the casing shall be so cheaply constructed as to enable them to be thrown away when the ribbon is exhausted.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new isv As an improvement in the means for storing and handling ribbons, the casing O, constructed as shown, and provided with the axial openings c and peripheral opening c', the cylindrical block B, having the journals b and button-head b', and the spur a2, secured within the exterior of said casing at the side of said opening o', substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have lhereunto set my hand this 4th day of January, 1877.

` y H. V. DEMPSTER. Witnesses:

GEO. F. GRAHAM, F. L. WILLIAMSON. 

